October 16, 2013: State Bar Unveils Fall Radio Campaign on Voter Participation and Veterans

A series of New York State Bar Association radio announcements—one on how voting makes a difference and the other on legal services for veterans—hit airwaves across upstate New York this week.

State Bar Association President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) narrates the radio spots that will air for four weeks beginning Monday. Each topic is recorded in 30- and 60-second versions.

The first spot reminds listeners, “Voting is a right we should not take for granted. It’s also an important responsibility of every citizen in our democratic society.” The second spot explains the complicated legal challenges veterans may face when returning home and says, “If you are a veteran and you need legal help, you don’t have to go it alone. There are organizations and attorneys who are eager to help.”

The scripts for the radio announcements are as follows:

Voter Participation: 60 seconds

I’m Dave Schraver, president of the New York State Bar Association.

In the United States, voting is one of our most fundamental rights. Since our nation’s founding, women, minorities and the poor have all had to fight for the right to vote.

But today, only about half of eligible voters participate in most elections, and New York state ranks among the lowest in the nation for voter turnout.

Voting is a right that we must not take for granted. It’s also an important responsibility of every citizen in our democratic society.

Our elected officials at the local, state and federal levels make decisions that can have an enormous impact—whether they are school board decisions that affect our kids’ education or national policies with global consequences.

Our leaders need to know that we are paying attention and that they’ll hear from us at the ballot box. If you haven’t registered to vote, please register. And then vote. Your vote can make a difference.

Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association, in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association. ___

Voter Participation: 30 seconds

I’m Dave Schraver, president of the New York State Bar Association.

Voting is one of our most fundamental rights and responsibilities as citizens. Since our nation’s founding, women, minorities and the poor have all had to fight for the right to vote.

It’s important that our elected representatives know that we’re paying attention and that they’ll hear from us at the ballot box.

If you haven’t registered to vote, please register. And then vote. Your vote can make a difference.

Sponsored by the New York State Bar Association.___

Veterans: 60 seconds

I’m Dave Schraver, president of the New York State Bar Association.

On Veterans Day, we as a nation express our gratitude to the men and women who have made extraordinary sacrifices to protect our national security and support the rule of law.

Many veterans return from combat and face a different battle here at home. They confront unique legal challenges that may be related to their military service … problems related to obtaining veterans benefits as well as employment, consumer debt and medical issues. Many of those problems are complicated because they spent extended time away from home.

If you’re a veteran and you need legal help, you don’t have to go it alone. There are organizations and attorneys who are eager to help.

For helpful resources for veterans and their families, including information about finding legal representation if you can’t afford an attorney, please visit nysba.org/vethelp.

Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association, in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association. ___

Veterans: 30 seconds

I’m Dave Schraver, president of the New York State Bar Association.

On Veterans Day, we thank the veterans who have sacrificed to protect our national security and the rule of law.

Veterans often face unique challenges, including legal problems that may be related to their military service.

There are many organizations that can provide guidance, and attorneys who are eager to help.

The 76,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

The NCSA (Non-Commercial Sustaining Announcements) spots were produced and distributed in coordination with the New York State Broadcasters Association. They are part of an ongoing radio campaign to educate the public about legal issues that affect the lives of New Yorkers.

Below are links to the mp3 audio files of the four radio announcements: